FRANCAIS

May 1, 2000

FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS ANNOUNCE FUNDING FOR MANITOBA MÉTIS FAMILY AND COMMUNITY INSTITUTE

Tim Sale, Family Services and Housing Minister for Manitoba, and Ralph Goodale, federal Minister of Natural Resources and Interlocutor for Métis and non-status Indians, today announced funding of up to $200,000 as the next step in creating a unique child and family services system for Métis and non-status Indians in Manitoba.

Sale, on behalf of the Province of Manitoba, and Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) President David Chartrand, recently signed a historic memorandum of understanding to establish the mandated agency. The MMF operated agency is based on the child welfare recommendations in the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry (AJI) Report.

"This government promised action on the AJI recommendations and we have proceeded with this milestone development in a matter of weeks," said Sale. "This funding announcement demonstrates the province’s respect for the unique Métis culture and our commitment to the process leading to the creation of a child and family services agency focused on the Métis."

The minister said that the province wants to ensure the needs of Métis communities and individuals are met through effective, locally developed solutions.

Federal funding is being provided under Gathering Strength: Canada’s Aboriginal Action Plan. The delivery of these services to the Métis in Winnipeg is one of the elements of the Government of Canada’s Urban Aboriginal Strategy in Winnipeg.

"This agreement is a promising new chapter for Métis people to gain control over issues of vital interest to them," said Goodale. "I am pleased to note that today’s agreement arose out of tripartite self- government negotiations involving the MMF, Manitoba and Canada which also led to the establishment of the Louis Riel Institute, the MMF’s Métis educational and training and cultural institute. These are examples of the practical and meaningful results which come out of the tripartite process."

"This is a proud day for the Métis Nation," said MMF President David Chartrand. "The Métis Family and Community Institute will be a tool for Métis self-government. The Hon. Ralph Goodale and the Hon. Tim Sale are celebrating with the Métis people today as we grow with our families and our children. We must build the tools for our children to succeed--this initiative focuses on the heart and soul of the Métis Nation. I want to also thank the Aboriginal Justice Implementation Committee, which was instrumental in bringing this dream to fruition."

In addition, the province has provided the MMF with a grant of $280,500 to the Child and Family Support Services Program that was established in 1983 to provide support for child welfare concerns of the Métis community.

"We look forward to working with the MMF to develop its child and family services agency and system into a full partner with other mandated agencies in serving the needs of Métis children and their families," said Sale. "We celebrate the beginning of a process which will ensure that Manitoba’s Métis community will control the delivery of culturally relevant child and family services and programs for Métis."

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